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Why are so many people in prison/jail?

So what is it? Why are so many people incarcerated? Is it really that hard to stay out? Sure, I've done a couple illegal things myself, but I'm not guilty because I wasn't caught...I wasn't caught because I was careful and smart...not that said things were even that bad really, just misdemeanors that didn't hurt anybody. I've never even seen the inside of a police car or even been pulled over.

Really, why is it so hard for so many people to stay out of trouble? I haven't had any difficulty whatsoever. I guess I'm just trying to figure it out. Right now the criminal justive system is costing my country (USA) a whole lot of freaking money...I'm wanting to know how so many found themselves in such a situation.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

Its more than just the people who got caught, sure some are stupid but thats not the reason they are in prison.

-In the United States it would appear that we like to put people in jail because we can. For the simplest reasons we will rather throw someone in jail instead of help them.
--For example: A drug addict, why toss them in jail. That won't solve the problem would it, instead lets use real resources.

Jail should be used for people who have caused real issues like murders and such.

We resort to prison far to quickly to solve issues. The prison system should be reformed, plus adding in the fact the prison is like a business now, the more inmates there are the more pay the prison gets from tax payers.

-Its more than just the peoples fault, even though it would help if they smarter as well

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

Mostly drug related, such as marijuana possession. If weed was legalized then there would be a lot more room in our jails and overcrowding would hardly be an issue, just touching on the subject don't want to get into a debate about it.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

There's many reasons
one important reason I thnk is because they put cops in school and you can get a ticket or go to jail for fighting
Back n the day it was called hooky when you skip class now it's called class c misdemeanor truancy

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

Free food, lodging and you do not have to pay taxes. The people living outside pay it for you. Think about it.

*thinks about it* That's it...I'm going to prison.

Originally Posted by Lt Fresh

Its more than just the people who got caught, sure some are stupid but thats not the reason they are in prison.

-In the United States it would appear that we like to put people in jail because we can. For the simplest reasons we will rather throw someone in jail instead of help them.
--For example: A drug addict, why toss them in jail. That won't solve the problem would it, instead lets use real resources.

Jail should be used for people who have caused real issues like murders and such.

We resort to prison far to quickly to solve issues. The prison system should be reformed, plus adding in the fact the prison is like a business now, the more inmates there are the more pay the prison gets from tax payers.

-Its more than just the peoples fault, even though it would help if they smarter as well

I agree completely. It would seem that some manner of corruption is involved in the legal system.

Originally Posted by Itssupereffective

Mostly drug related, such as marijuana possession. If weed was legalized then there would be a lot more room in our jails and overcrowding would hardly be an issue, just touching on the subject don't want to get into a debate about it.

Thank goodness marijuana is soon to be decriminalized...it's about damn time.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

Free food, lodging and you do not have to pay taxes. The people living outside pay it for you. Think about it.

LOL. That sounds good. I might just.... Wait! You don't suppose to be saying that. Think of the children. Xd

No one like the law and doing so rebellious acts are taken upon our streets and sometimes in our homes. We also have few that are unable to "survive" in our humane society and thus "find their way" by any means necessary. You than have those who do it just beause, or mental or psychology problems. It can't be helped.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

Most people who are in jail that get out, do something to be put right back in. When someone spends too much time in jail/prison and they go out into the real world to fix their life can't make it and they go right back in because they get taken care of. Yes its jail but in their minds its easier *and just can't physically or mentally survive on their own* than making it in the real world and surviving on their own, so they go in and get fed, washed, books, education, etc.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

we have people in jail for seemingly pointless stuff. A lot of the wrong place at the wrong time. Then corruption too, its like a holding ground for scapegoats (typically a minority in poverty) just to have someone to blame and get a story out. the penal system is a business and its leeching from the upstanding tax payer. Things that we the people need to see change are shot down by those we elect because it costs money for reform or change in general. People are far to impatient and only make decisions for today, rather than evolving for tomorrow and ignoring the cost it takes to get there.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

huh, another person who doesn't look at things from more than one perspective. Ok, so you say that your able to stay out of trouble, blah blah blah, yeah well not every one is you my friend. Not everyone has the life you have. Times are hard right now, and it is only going to get harder with the way this world is headed. People are desperate, scared, hungry, and when all that stress weighs on someone for long enough, they begin to think of things, sometimes bad things, to help fix their issues. You might never know but I man could have gotten arrested for robbery, but his motive was to get money to feed his wife and kids, or pay his bills so he doesn't get evicted. When it comes to survival, people do crazy things sometimes. Not saying any of this is right, and im not saying people always have noble reasons for the crimes they commit. So don't be so quick to judge a person, you don't know what trial God has decided to put them through.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

You say it's your country but do you work and pay taxes? If you do, then fine, but if not stop complaining about it because it doesn't effect you >.> But yeah, it's the police that arrest people for smoking a little dope or for having some coke in their bag. 70% of the 'drug dealers' that are banged up in prison in the U.S weren't dealing it, just using it for personal use.

Re: Why are so many people in prison/jail?

Originally Posted by NinjutsuSeeker

huh, another person who doesn't look at things from more than one perspective. Ok, so you say that your able to stay out of trouble, blah blah blah, yeah well not every one is you my friend. Not everyone has the life you have. Times are hard right now, and it is only going to get harder with the way this world is headed. People are desperate, scared, hungry, and when all that stress weighs on someone for long enough, they begin to think of things, sometimes bad things, to help fix their issues. You might never know but I man could have gotten arrested for robbery, but his motive was to get money to feed his wife and kids, or pay his bills so he doesn't get evicted. When it comes to survival, people do crazy things sometimes. Not saying any of this is right, and im not saying people always have noble reasons for the crimes they commit. So don't be so quick to judge a person, you don't know what trial God has decided to put them through.

Not true, most people go to prison for marijuana use or other such silly crimes. Very few in prison were just desperate; most robberies are committed by people that either wanted the rush, weren't happy with working their 9 to 5 all the time or just plain stupid and got roped into it by their friends. If you're having trouble feeding your family, the US pays people not to work, we're a socialist commie country.

Originally Posted by Wang

Lack of education, they get caught.

That's what I'm thinking.

Originally Posted by Stencil

You say it's your country but do you work and pay taxes? If you do, then fine, but if not stop complaining about it because it doesn't effect you >.> But yeah, it's the police that arrest people for smoking a little dope or for having some coke in their bag. 70% of the 'drug dealers' that are banged up in prison in the U.S weren't dealing it, just using it for personal use.

Everyone that works pays taxes, I have to each year, what about you? O_o I'm also just wanting to know why it's so hard to stay out. Sure, I've smoked marijuana and even used to drive around with it which is stupid, but I never got caught because I was careful and I always made sure that it didn't look like I was dealing. There's a rule: don't break the law while you're breaking the law. In other words, if you have some ganja with you, you have to be extra careful not to do anything else because that's when they catch you.